Question

ok say i have xsquared minus x -12 how would i factor the quadratic equation?

Answer 1

fully steps

Answer 2

determine the prime factors of the constant term from those try to construct the coefficient of x using either addiition of some terms or subtraction of multiples of obtained factors
then re write the quadratic take common terms outside now you have the factors
for example - 12 can have factors \[\pm1,12,2,3,4,6\]
from these i can choose -4 and +3 to create -1
now the quadartic becomes x^2-4x+3x-12
x(x-4)+3(x-4)
=(x-4)(x+3)
this is how i do it may sound bit crazy but i believe most people do the same

Answer 3

I always think..
\[Ax^2+Bx+C\]
what added together makes B and when times together makes C..
not as nice as Vicky007's answer..but easy to remember.

Answer 4

only way to factor this is as
\[(x-\sqrt{12})(x+\sqrt{12})\]as the difference of two squares. halas

Answer 5

its only an expression though shouldnt it be muchh easier

Answer 6

easier than what? are you trying to solve
\[x^2-12=0\] or are you trying to factor
\[x^2-12\] i am not sure which. but you will notice that there is no "x" term here as compared to say
\[x^2-x-12\] so it is simple to factor

Answer 7

x^2-(x-12) is what i read it

Answer 8

"xsquared minus x -12"

Answer 9

oooooooooooooooooooh i should quit while i am behind!

Answer 10

its just xsquared minus x minus 12

Answer 11

\[x^2-x-12\] like that?

Answer 12

all i wanna know is the easiestway to solve it

Answer 13

dont use english; use the math notation

Answer 14

i read
\[x^2-12\] doh

Answer 15

there is no mathematical "easiest" way to solve it

Answer 16

there is no easy way other than thinking.

Answer 17

there are a variety of methods; but math doesnt pick one over the other

Answer 18

two numbers whose product is -12. one plus one minus

Answer 19

sum is -1

Answer 20

ok whats a method that is easilhy understood

Answer 21

ok rather say i have xsqua

Answer 22

if you want a sure fire method complete the square and then you don't have to think

Answer 23

one that will always produce and answer is the quadratic formula: (-b +- sqrt(b^2 -4ac))/2a

Answer 24

\[ax^2+bx+c=0\]
\[x=\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}\]

Answer 25

ok then after i plug all that in thats my answer

Answer 26

what does the - b + or minus mean

Answer 27

yep; the formula is derived thru alot of steps; but in the end, that is what it amounts to

Answer 28

plug in the numbers and hit enter on a calculator :)

Answer 29

when we have 2 exact expression that differ only by an operation; it is shorthand notation to just include them as one sign

Answer 30

x+2 and x-2 , can be written as

Answer 31

x +- 2

Answer 32

indeed\

Answer 33

a quadratic equation will produce at most; 2 answers, that will differ by a + or - operation right there

Answer 34

ok so from xsquared minus x-12 i got x=-6.5

Answer 35

well this is one of the longest reply thread i have ever seen

Answer 36

my answer always comes out as a relally long decimal